Startup accelerators in Germany

Germany’s accelerator map has two poles: Berlin, home to investor-built programs like APX, and Munich, where UnternehmerTUM anchors one of Europe’s largest university-linked startup machines. What sets the country apart is how much of the scene corporates run themselves, from Deutsche Telekom’s hubraum to Siemens for Startups.

These are the Germany-based programs we track, including the publicly backed German Accelerator for teams expanding internationally. Compare funding, duration, and equity below, or create a free profile to see which would actually take you.

Startup accelerators in Germany

377 accelerators

Accelerator

MassChallenge

Remote

16 wks · equity-free

Equity-free accelerator + non-dilutive cash prizes

GeneralB2BHealthcare
Accelerator

Entrepreneur First (EF)

London · Paris · Bangalore · San Francisco, Global

24 wks · $250k · ~8% equity

Up to $250K + a 24-week pre-team to launch program

Deep techAIPre-team
Accelerator

Antler

Multiple cities, Global

24 wks · $250k · ~10% equity

~$100K–$250K for ~10% + a 6-month residency

GeneralPre-teamAI
Accelerator

TAQADAM

Remote

26 wks · $40k · equity-free

KAUST six-month startup accelerator

Deep TechHealthClimate
Accelerator

Crucible Ignitor

Remote

equity-free

Equity-free program with mentorship and network access

Dual-use techDefense tech
Accelerator

CancerX Accelerator Cohort

Remote

17 wks

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

Digital healthOncology
Accelerator

Adidas Cultivate and B.L.O.O.M.

Remote

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

Social impactSports tech
Accelerator

Danone Manifesto Ventures

Remote

$10000k

Up to $10M + a structured program

Food techPlant-basedHealthtech
Accelerator

Nestle R+D Accelerator

Remote

26 wks · equity-free

Equity-free program with mentorship and network access

Food techNutrition
Accelerator

PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator APAC

Remote

$100k

Up to $100K + a structured program

Circular economySustainable agriculture
Accelerator

The Estee Lauder Companies New Incubation Ventures

Remote

$3000k

Up to $3M + a structured program

BeautySkincareCosmetics
Accelerator

Kering Generation Award

Remote

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

Sustainable fashionBeauty
Accelerator

La Maison des Startups LVMH

Remote

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

LuxuryFashionCosmetics
Accelerator

Accelerate Africa Startup Programme

Remote

24 wks · equity-free

Equity-free program with mentorship and network access

General
Accelerator

Startup Wise Guys SaaS Africa

Remote

26 wks · $65k · ~12% equity

Up to €65K for ~12% + a structured program

FintechAgritechEdtech
Accelerator

The Baobab Network

Remote

14 wks · $100k

Up to $100K + a structured program

General tech
Accelerator

iStart Rajasthan

Remote

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

General
Accelerator

StartinUP Incubator Network

Remote

13 wks

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

CleantechEnergyDefence tech
Accelerator

ELEVATE Idea2PoC

Remote

equity-free

Equity-free program with mentorship and network access

General
Accelerator

Karnataka Acceleration Network

Remote

26 wks

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

General
Accelerator

BIRAC BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant)

Remote

$50k · equity-free

Up to $50K + a structured program

Biotech
Accelerator

MeitY Startup Hub

Remote

equity-free

Equity-free program with mentorship and network access

General tech
Accelerator

SIDBI Fund of Funds Startups

Remote

Structured mentorship, curriculum, and investor access

General tech
Accelerator

Atal Innovation Mission Startup Support

Remote

equity-free

Equity-free program with mentorship and network access

General tech

Showing 24 of 377. See them all in the directory, or sign up free for the ones matched to you.

Common questions.

Straight answers. For the full picture, read the FAQ.

It depends where and what you build: APX and Antler are known Berlin entry points, UnternehmerTUM and TechFounders lead in Munich, and sector programs like InsurTech Hub Munich serve one industry deeply. The listings below show funding, duration, and equity side by side.

Yes. The German Accelerator, backed by the federal economics ministry, takes German startups into international markets at no equity cost. It sits alongside the private and corporate programs rather than replacing them, and many founders do both.

Some do, some run equity-free cohorts built around pilots and partnerships instead. It varies by program and year, so treat the equity line on each listing as the answer for that cohort rather than assuming a national norm.